Guillermo del Toro parts with rare horror memorabilia after wildfires
Robert Hodgson
Commission under pressure to follow advisors on 2040 climate target
With less than a fortnight to go before the European Commission floats a potentially radical new greenhouse gas reduction target, an alliance of business leaders, local governments and climate campaigners has called on the EU to follow the advice of its own scientists.
End of the line for diesel-powered lorries and buses
The EU has taken another significant step in its efforts to clean up road transport, with a political agreement on CO2 standards for trucks and buses that amounts to a near-complete phase-out of diesel-powered models by 2040.
Climate goals in jeopardy without increased efforts from governments
The independent European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change has warned the EU that its greenhouse gas reduction targets could slip out of reach without immediate implementation of existing policy, and moves to end fossil fuel subsidies and tackle emissions related to farming and land use.
Leak suggests reliance on carbon storage to meet CO2 emissions targets
The leak of an 'industrial carbon management plan' suggests the European Commission has concluded political and financial support for carbon capture and storage technology is essential if the EU is to meet its goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.
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Poland pledges support for radical new EU greenhouse gas target
The return to power of Polish prime minister Donald Tusk could see one of Europe's least enthusiastic supporters of climate action in recent years throw its weight behind a radical new 2040 emissions reduction target, but erstwhile ally Hungary signalled scepticism at an informal ministerial summit.
MEPs wave through raft of Green Deal legislation as elections loom
The European Parliament's environment committee has approved provisional deals with governments on half a dozen key pieces of environmental law, as lawmakers hurry to complete as much Green Deal legislation as possible before EU elections.
Brewers froth over winemakers’ exemption from anti-waste rules
As the EU debates rules to limit packaging waste, beer producers argue they are being unfairly discriminated against with exemptions for winemakers from reuse targets and deposit-return schemes, but one of Europe’s wine industry association chiefs says brewers should “mind their own business”.
EU urged to adopt absolute, not 'net', target for emissions cuts
Scientists, civil society groups and businesses have warned EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra that combining greenhouse gas emissions cuts and removals using nature-based and industrial processes in a single target could hamper climate action.
Belgium urged to advance extension of water pollutant watch list
Belgium plans to move forward a proposal to increase the number of water pollutants subject to strict concentration limits, to include PFAS 'forever chemicals' and dozens of others, the EU Council presidency holder has said amid calls from civil society and industry.
Belgium has just weeks to close key environment policy files
As Belgium takes over the EU Council presidency, it has just eight weeks to reach a deal with the European Parliament on a hotly debated law designed to reverse rapid growth in packaging waste, as well limits on CO2 emissions from lorries and rules on carbon removal certification.
Brussels seeks to lower protection for Europe’s 20,000 wolves
The European Commission has proposed downgrading the protection status of wolves, potentially paving the way for hunting and localised culls.
Electric cars targeted in update of vehicle pollution limits
Environmental groups blame auto industry lobbying for a freeze in limits on exhaust pollution, but electric cars are now targeted with restrictions on particulate matter from brakes and tyres.
Governments agree response to surge in packaging waste
Environment ministers secured several concessions before agreeing a joint position on legislation designed to reduce the amount of packaging material discarded annually, prompting the Netherlands' Vivianne Heijnen to warn against any further “watering down".
ROUNDUP: Key environment and energy votes in parliament
The European Parliament plenary of 2023 in Strasbourg from 11-14 December saw the legislature wave through a new law designed to reduce Europe’s geopolitically precarious dependence on China for essential raw materials, and a trio of resolutions on green themes.
Firms face sanctions over harmful impact of business partners
Firms operating in the EU will in future be held accountable for the environmental damage and human rights abuses caused by their suppliers and business partners, under a newly agreed law on corporate due diligence.
Auditors question potential of biofuels to tackle transport emissions
A lack of production capacity and access to sufficient sustainable feedstock means policy makers should not depend too much on biofuels to slash greenhouse gas emissions from transport, EU auditors have warned.
Agriculture ministers reject compromise over GM crop regulation reform
The EU Council has rejected a Spanish bid to forge a joint position on a proposed deregulation of genetically modified (GM) crops produced using new genomic techniques (NGTs), with governments voicing concerns over safety, labelling and social acceptance.
Belgian PM downplays talk of environment policy pause
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo committed to the EU's broader environmental agenda as Belgium prepares to chair the EU Council, despite his renewed call to focus efforts on climate change
Ministers agree petroleum industry must develop CO2 storage sites
Governments agree oil and gas firms must deploy permanent CO2 storage facilities at an unprecedented scale, but the industry argues it is pointless without also building up carbon capture and transport infrastructure, while NGOs fear the plans distract from the need to cut emissions at source.
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